Archaeological & Inadvertent Discovery Information

Treatment of Native American Human Remains Discovered Inadvertently or Through Criminal Investigations on Private and Public, State-Owned Lands in Oregon

Native American burial sites are not simply artifacts of the tribe's cultural past, but are considered sacred and represent a continuing connection with their ancestors.  Native American ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony associated with Oregon Tribes are protected under state law, including criminal penalties (ORS 97.740-.994 and 358.905-.961).  The laws recognize and codify the Tribes' rights in the decision-making process regarding ancestral remains and associated objects.  Therefore, both the discovered ancestral remains and their associated objects should be treated in a sensitive and respectful manner by all parties involved. 

Identification of Human Remains  

Notification

State law [ORS 97.745 (4)] requires that any discovered human remains suspected to be Native American shall be reported to:

• State Police
• Lieutenant Craig Heuberger, Cell (503) 508-0779, Dispatch (503) 731-3030

• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
• Primary contact = John Pouley, State Archaeologist, office phone (503) 480-9164​​

• Legislative Commission on Indian Services (LCIS)
• Contact = Dr. Elissa Bullion, PhD, State Physical Anthropologist, cell phone (971) 707-1372, email Elissa.Bullion@oregonlegislature.gov​.  LCIS will provide the list of appropriate Native American Tribes

• All appropriate Native American Tribes provided by LCIS